14 October 2009

2007 Musto Carmelitano Serra del Prete

This is one of those wines that makes me wonder about the specifics of the new FTC regulations. I promise I won't harp on disclosure in every post, but take this unique situation:

I got this bottle from Fredric Koeppel as a gift. However, he got it from Terry "Strappo" Hughes. Strappo works as an importer in New York for Domenico Selections. The company got the bottle from the producer in Italy.

So... the Southerner in me issues thanks to everyone involved, but legally which party is promoting this wine? Damn it all, let's pop this open and just enjoy the wine.

This is the 2007 Musto Carmelitano Serra del Prete from Basilicata. Looking at the southern end of Italy, with Puglia as the heel and Calabria as the toe, Basilicata is the arch between the two (or more accurately, the cuboid, navicular, and cuneiform bones). This area is full of rich volcanic soil from the extinct Mount Vulture volcano, which gives its name to the grape variety: this is 100% Aglianico del Vulture, unoaked, 14% abv. Black plum, black cherry, a little tart with aggressive tannins that make you stand up and take notice. With rest you get some more subtle flavors of chocolate and fig, even approaching stewed fruit at times.

When you're at a wedding and see a beautiful woman, you don't want to ask her to dance during the ceremony. Be patient and your luck will improve. This is a roundabout way of saying that this wine needs to breathe a bit. Try it immediately after opening and it's like a slap in the face, but even fifteen minutes later it's a far more suave experience.

On its own this is a big, strong wine, but serve it with something equally big and flavorful and it takes on a softer character. I had it with some of the leftover lamb chops and liver-flavored rice from the Grace Restaurant dinner as well as a little smoked beef brisket the following day. You'll want something earthy like game, wild boar, goat, etc. This is a wine that I'd love to try, say, every two years to see how it ages. I don't know that I'll get the opportunity, but this has the kind of firm youthful structure that seems to lend itself to graceful cellaring.

Strappo has full details on this wine on his company blog as well as his personal blog. Check out his sites for details on his exciting trips to Italy, random musings, and occasional Italiano-English lessons.

See, this is why that FTC thing is goofy. What if say, one of your best friends is an importer and he/she sends you a mixed case of wine as a Christmas gift? Not to write reviews, vintages no longer available...what then?

Actually, since you make your living in the wine business I think you're exempt from all these rules. The FTC has been vague and has issued conflicting statements. One official said that wine and dinners would not be covered, as they were perishable and could not be resold. However, books, wine glasses, gadgets, other stuff would have to be disclosed.

Under this interpretation, the $200 worth of wine that showed up on Monday doesn't need any statement on the blog, but since they included a corkscrew with the shipment. So my review will have to state, "I received a free waiter-style corkscrew from ______."